Phrasal verbs - Explained in Easy Language
What is a Phrasal Verb?A Phrasal verb is a combination of verb and a preposition or a verb and an adverb that when used together usually forms a completely different meaning than the original verb.There are two types of expressions in phrasal verbs.
1. Transitive Expressions:
1.Nouns are placed at the end of transitive expressions before the participle and just after the verb.
Examples:
She took off her hat.
She took her hat off.
2.Pronoun objects are used after the verb or before short words like on, up, down, in etc.
Examples:
I went to see him off.
Rita brought him up.
3.Pronoun objects are placed at the end when the verb cannot be split of such as call off, call on, look at, etc.
Examples:
You should look after her.
In this case the phrasal verbs do not admit to the objects.
1.She broke down in the cafe.
2.The candle blew out suddenly.
A phrasal verb usually has three types of constructions depending on the position of the verb.
Prepositional Phrasal Verb
Some phrasal verbs consists of a verb followed by a preposition. These are generally transitive which forms an expression with an idiomatic meaning.
For example:
I ran into the child.
Here, 'into' is a preposition that is introducing the prepositional phrase.
I came across an old book.
Here, 'across' is a preposition which is introducing the prepositional phrase 'across an old book'.
Some more examples of prepositional phrasal verbs are: abide by, account for, look after, look into, etc.
Particle Phrasal Verbs
When the element is a particle it cannot be constructed as a preposition but rather as a particle. These can be both transitive or intransitive. In case it is transitive we can consider it to be separable (that means the two words can be separated and the object can be placed directly between them).
For example:
Rahim should not give in so quickly.
Here, 'in' is a particle and not a preposition.
You should think it over.
Here, 'Over' has been used as a particle and not as a preposition.
Particle Prepositional Phrasal Verbs
There are many phrasal verbs which have both particle and a preposition.
For Example:
He never backs down from a challenge.
Here, 'down' is a particle and 'from' has been used as a preposition.
She got away with being late for college.
Here, 'away' is a particle and 'with' has been used as a preposition.
A phrasal verb usually has three types of constructions depending on the position of the verb.
Prepositional Phrasal Verb
Some phrasal verbs consists of a verb followed by a preposition. These are generally transitive which forms an expression with an idiomatic meaning.
For example:
I ran into the child.
Here, 'into' is a preposition that is introducing the prepositional phrase.
I came across an old book.
Here, 'across' is a preposition which is introducing the prepositional phrase 'across an old book'.
Some more examples of prepositional phrasal verbs are: abide by, account for, look after, look into, etc.
Particle Phrasal Verbs
When the element is a particle it cannot be constructed as a preposition but rather as a particle. These can be both transitive or intransitive. In case it is transitive we can consider it to be separable (that means the two words can be separated and the object can be placed directly between them).
For example:
Rahim should not give in so quickly.
Here, 'in' is a particle and not a preposition.
You should think it over.
Here, 'Over' has been used as a particle and not as a preposition.
Particle Prepositional Phrasal Verbs
There are many phrasal verbs which have both particle and a preposition.
For Example:
He never backs down from a challenge.
Here, 'down' is a particle and 'from' has been used as a preposition.
She got away with being late for college.
Here, 'away' is a particle and 'with' has been used as a preposition.
Phrasal verbs are very important part for all government exams. But it is really difficult to remember the entire phrasal verbs. Trying to memorize all the phrasal verbs is the most wrong way and you may end up wasting all your time with no result at all.
So, here we are providing some tips by which you can learn phrasal verbs easily.
Try remembering phrasal verbs by relating them topic wise. This can help you remember each meaning clearly and minimize any kind of confusion.
Example: Go on, Go over, Go through.
- The most important thing to do while learning phrasal verb is by incorporating the verbs into sentences after knowing the meaning. As a result you will be able to retain the meanings of the word for a long time.
Example:
Jump to (arrive suddenly)- You should never jump to a conclusion.
Jump to (arrive suddenly)- You should never jump to a conclusion.
Let down (humiliate)- We should never let down our elders.
- You can use phrasal verbs daily that will help you to revise the words continuously. If you are reading a newspaper or listening, keep track of any phrasal verbs being used in the process.
- In fact you can try using phrasal verbs in your daily conversations so that you keep revising the meanings and get used to it eventually.
- Those of you who are good at memorizing can definitely try learning them. But there are thousands of them. So you must follow a strict routine like, memorize 10 words each day and do an entire revision at the end of the week.
- Lastly, practice regularly by practicing exercises to check how much you have learnt so far.
- You can try following the English Quizzes in our website of AchieversRule because the more you practice the better for you.
- Stay tuned to Achieversrule for more such articles and Tips on English Grammar Rules.
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